Is it true that Jains influenced Mahatma Gandhi?
“The image of the Jaina as a man of peace and goodwill is strongly imprinted on the Indian psyche; and indeed, it can be said that the Jaina community has often been a morally uplifting factor in the life of Indian society as a whole. In this connection might be mentioned Mahatma Gandhi—perhaps the greatest champion of nonviolence in our age. Gandhi claimed to have been deeply influenced, particularly in the development of his theory of ahimsa as a political weapon, by the revered Jaina layman Raychandbhai Mehta.
“’Three persons have influenced me deeply, Tolstoy, Ruskin and Raychandbhai: Tolstoy through one of his books… and Raychandbhai through intimate personal contact. When I began to feel doubts about Hinduism as a religion, it was Raychandbhai who helped me to resolve them.’ M.K. Gandhi 1958-1976: XXXII, 4.
“On the life and works of Raychandbhai Mehta (1868-1901), known to his devotees as Srimad Rajacandra…”
Does anyone have any information to share on this man that impacted on Mahatma Gandhi?
“On the life and works of Raychandbhai Mehta (1868-1901), known to his devotees as Srimad Rajacandra…”
Many thanks
Kim xx
RE: Jains and Gandhi
ORIGINAL: Sacredstar
“On the life and works of Raychandbhai Mehta (1868-1901), known to his devotees as Srimad Rajacandra…”
And Gandhi asked the noble man 'Can I kill the snake"
The noble man does not, in fact men like Jesus and Gandhi would not kill a fly!
Love beyond measure
kim xx
RE: Jains and Gandhi
Hi Kim,
I think Gandhi may refer briefly to the influence of Jains on him in his autobiography - been a few years since I've read it, so will look it up when I find a mo!
My recollection is that the Jain faith was a huge influence on his thinking. He was brought up in a strict Vaisnhav (Hindu) family but non-violence became a keystone for his thinking. Ahimsa isn't as central to Hinduism as it is to Jainism. I know this as I did a lot of research in my teens, the reason being I was born to Jain parents who in my childhood convereted to Hinduism as that was their practical faith. However, there was a fair mix of the two influences in my upbringing.
I'll return to this when I've got some useful info.
Cub
RE: Jains and Gandhi
Hi Kim,
I've looked at parts of Gandhi's autobiography, 'The story of my experiments with truth', to help with your question. You can download a free e-book from . It's a beautiful read.
Raychandbhai is mentioned in it (you can do a word search for all ocassions his name comes up). Chapter 26 is dedicated to him. He is described as a 'connoisseur of pearls and diamonds' but whose passion was to 'see God face to face'. Gandhi speaks of him in terms of being akin to a Guru, although never quite.
At first I doubted whether he was a Jain, as you suggest, until I did some more research. I recalled him being presented as a Hindu in Gandhi's autobiography. It's not made clear in the book what faith he is, although he shows at one point a preference for Hinduism, e.g. on page 72 in Chapter 40 Gandhi writes to him asking for advice on the best faith to follow. Raychandbhai's words in response are:
'On a dispassionate view of the question I am convinced that no other religion has the subtle and profound thought of Hinduism, its vision of the soul, or its charity.'
It seems a bit odd for a Jain to say that. Raychandbhai is noted on page 72 again as having sent Gandhi several books on Hinduism, e.g. Panchikaran, Mumukshu and Shaddarshana Samuchchaya. So he was widely read in Hinduism.
However, doing a simple word search of 'Gandhi' and 'Raychandbhai' regulalry reveals him as being Jain. I guess for me this is where an individual can rise above the dictates of one faith, and take the most noble qualities of all religous practices which surround him to gain true inspiration of God.
Do let us know if you find out anything more on Raychandbhai.
Cub